Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency for five south state counties and Shasta County in the north state as days of rain and wind swept across California, triggering flash flood and landslide threats in burn scars and contributing to three deaths statewide.
The emergency proclamation issued Wednesday enables Newsom to direct state resources to the hardest-hit counties. The governor said he deployed swift water rescue teams, state helicopters, more than 55 fire engines and other first responder teams and equipment across the state.
The proclamation — which includes Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego counties — also allows local governments to seek federal aid for some weather-damaged road repairs…